Economic Downturn: Small Business Owners’ Confidence Weakens

On the heels of weakening confidence from new home builders, comes the lack of confidence from small business owners. This is the fourth consecutive month that the outlook on business conditions fell and confidence is now at its lowest point since 2016.

A lack of confidence signals a sign of a weakening economy with growth concerns and a slowdown in the markets. The NFIB’s December survey results showed fewer respondents from a month earlier. But many thought now was a good time to expand their operations, as several of them cited economic conditions and the political climate.

“Over the past few months, owners’ expectations for the future have tempered, while reporting continued solid economic activity,” the NFIB said in its report, based on responses from 621 small-business owners. “The Index remains at historically high levels but can’t be expected to improve every month.”

Consumer confidence and spending rose, however, despite an economic slowdown. Another key indicator economists use to gauge domestic consumer spending is the University of Michigan’s index of consumer sentiment. That rose in December as confidence in job and wage prospects appeared to outweigh worries about financial markets. But likely, much of the spending was debt, as Americans have reached a historically high level of consumer debt.

If you’re an average American, you spend $1.26 for every $1.00 that you earn. For example, if your annual income is $50,000, you spend $63,000, a difference of $13,000. If your annual income is $75,000, you spend $94,500, a difference of $19,500. If your annual income is $125,000, you spend $157,500, a difference of $32,500. And so forth. –Tough Nickle